Pregnancy is without a doubt a very special time in a woman’s life.
Hormonal and physical changes in the body appear quickly and constantly. As the baby grows and the belly increases, the body undergoes postural changes.
And the increase in lumbar curvature and the greater elasticity of the ligaments are the main causes of pain in the lumbar region, a very common complaint of pregnant women. That’s why Pilates has been highly sought after by moms-to-be who want to improve some symptoms, relieve pain and prepare for childbirth.
Do you know all the benefits that practice can generate in this period? That’s what we’re going to tell you here! Keep reading to find out.
Prevention of back pain
As the baby grows, the weight of the belly causes the pelvic to tilt more forward. When excessive, this posture overloads the back muscles, causing lower back pain.
However, when practicing Pilates, the muscles gain greater resistance and guarantee better support, preventing back and pelvic pain.
Sleep improvement
Pregnant women feel sleepy and get tired easily and often sleeping may not be such an easy task for pregnant women, especially if they are in the final stage of pregnancy, which is when the belly is very large, the baby moves more and it’s hard to find a comfortable position.
The practice of Pilates helps with relaxation and a feeling of well-being, releasing endorphins and helping women to have a better quality of sleep, which also helps them to have more energy and disposition during the day.
Improvement of breathing
Again, as the pregnancy progresses, the pregnant may have difficulty breathing. It happens because as the baby grows, the other organs put pressure on the diaphragm and shorten the passage of oxygen to the lungs. That’s why pregnant women are more panting.
But Pilates method works breathing, improving the oxygenation pattern of mother and baby. Besides, the breathing method learned during a Pilates class will be very beneficial during childbirth, making the mother calmer during one contraction and another, as well as helping her to deal with the pain better.
Strengthening the pelvic floor
This benefit of Pilates applies to both mothers who choose normal birth and those who choose cesarean sections. That’s because the baby’s weight and hormonal changes can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, causing urinary incontinence, which can occur during or after pregnancy.
Pilates exercises work to strengthen the muscles in the area to support the bladder and bowel, help during childbirth and reduce the risk of incontinence.
For a better understanding, during the exercises It’s necessary to contract the abdomen and the entire pelvic region, which ends up being a training for the normal birth, because with a strengthened musculature, the pregnant will feel less pain to exert the necessary force to the birth of the baby and the childbirth is usually easier and more peaceful.
It is worth mentioning that before starting the Pilates practice, it’s essential to talk to your doctor beforehand and do the sessions in studios that have qualified and experienced professionals, such as Kore Gallery. Come and visit our space!
